Annual Lao Food Festival returns with gourmet line-up

The event will continue until Friday, January 31 and features about 190 booths displaying and selling food products from Lao and foreign sources.
Food producers from around the country, as well as some from other ASEAN countries, will serve up freshly cooked and homegrown products, alongside exotic dishes prepared by several embassies in Vientiane. The stalls will display food items, handicrafts, and agricultural products. The event aims to showcase Laos’ way of life from a gastronomic perspective while also promoting the work of Lao women in the food industry. It also gives restaurateurs in Vientiane and the provinces the chance to exhibit and sell their food. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Lao Women’s Union, Dr. Inlavan Keobounphanh, President of the Lao Businesswomen’s Association who is presiding over the food festival this year, Mrs. Chanthachone Vongsay, the Prime Minister’s wife Mrs. Naly Sisoulith, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries. In her speech to open the event, Mrs. Chanthachone noted that the Lao Food Festival has been held every year since 2006 and that this is the 15th edition. It also marks the 15th anniversary of the Lao Businesswomen’s Association. Mrs. Chanthachone said the festival aimed to support businesswomen and promote their work by providing a platform for women to advertise their products. Some women grow crops of various kinds, others are engaged in food processing, while some run or own restaurants, hotels and other facilities in Vientiane and the provinces. “The event aims to provide opportunities for businesswomen to share information, learn how to improve their products and meet today’s market needs. It’s also a chance for them to earn money from the sale of their products,” she added. “We want to encourage women to develop new visions for marketing and production so they can sell their goods on local and international markets, and build business networks around the country”. “The festival is also a reminder of the traditions which manifest themselves through our cuisine and the food and crops we grow.” This year there are more stalls and activities, including an organic food exhibition and booths exhibiting food produced in different parts of Laos. There’s also free food tasting, a business talk, product promotions, shows, and performances. Representatives from each region of Laos will take part in a cooking competition. There will also be a lucky draw sponsored by the Interplast project, and free health checks by the Lao Inter Clinic.  At least 80,000 people are expected to visit the festival over the four days, with more than 4 trillion kip changing hands. The organizing committee invites members of the public to attend and taste and buy Lao and foreign foods, drinks, herbs, handicrafts, and other items at reasonable prices.

Informations Source: Vientiane Time